Penn State Harrisburg
Career Studies
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown , PA 17057
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown , PA 17057
Note: This program is able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP).
| Program Contact | Sandy McBride |
| Program Contact Email | sem185@psu.edu |
| Program Phone | 7179486656 |
| Website | Program website |
| Social Media: | Program Social Media |
The Career Studies Program, is a U.S. Department of Education approved Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), where individuals with intellectual disabilities can obtain a high-quality, individualized post-secondary education that leads to social and professional networks, careers, and a bright future. Career Studies is an inclusive two-year, four-semester program that includes academic and social enrichment, career exploration, and practical work experiences. Our program mission is to provide enriching and inclusive post-secondary education and career exploration experiences that lead to independence and competitive employment.
Program information submitted: Feb 09, 2026
| General | |
|---|---|
| Public or private: | Public |
| Type of school: | 4-year college or university |
| Is this program a federally funded TPSID program?: | No |
| Number of students: | 13 |
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Program serves students who have left high school?: | Yes, all of our students have left high school |
| High school diploma required?: | No, an IEP/non-standard diploma/certificate of attendance is accepted |
| Deadline to apply to this program: | 12/31/26 |
| Admission link: | Program admission |
| Criteria for admission: |
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| Accepts out-of-state students?: | Yes |
| Students in this program have these disabilities: |
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| Planned program length: |
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| Acceptance, Retention, and Completion Rates | |
|---|---|
| Retention rate for first year students from the previous academic year to the current one: | 87% |
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average student in-state tuition and fees for the current school year: | $17,910.00 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees: | $20,274.00 |
| Room and board cost: | $16,626.00 |
| Program specific fees: | $3,600.00 |
| Other costs: | The additional program fee of ($3600) is the Peer Mentor fee. Each student receives approximated 15 hours of peer mentor time a week. Students need to pay for books for their academic classes. If they want to buy food in the cafeteria, they will need to pay for that as well. |
| Is this program able to provide federal financial aid as a Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP)?: | Yes |
| Students pay for the program in the following ways: |
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| Scholarships available: | Students can apply for a DREAM Partnership Scholarship which supports students attending a post secondary program. https://dreampartnership.org/ |
| Scholarship link: | D.R.E.A.M. Partnership |
| Academic | |
|---|---|
| Students enrolled in this program take the following types of inclusive courses (with students who don't have disabilities): |
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| More about course access: | Students in the Career Studies Program can take any class listed in the course catalog as long as it doesn't have any prerequisites. We encourage students to take classes that relate to their interests as well as classes that might help with their career interests. |
| Are students in this program able to access support services through your IHE disability services office?: | Yes |
| Students take courses that are only for students in this program: | Yes |
| Information on special classes: | Students take Personal Management and Huddle classes that include topics of self-management, introduction to the work world as well as job skill training. These classes assist with the transition to a college atmosphere as well as career exploration. They also take a Customer Relations class that includes curriculum from National Retail Fundamentals. If the students successfully pass the exam for the course, they earn an extra credential. We are also offering ServSafe as another credential students can earn. |
| Percentage of all courses taken by students that are inclusive: | 50-74% |
| Do all students in this program enroll in at least one inclusive college/university course for credit or audit each semester?: | Yes |
| Credential(s) students earn upon completing the program: | Certificate of Completion of the Career Studies Program |
| Is the credential approved by the college/university?: | Yes, this credential has been through a formal approval process at the IHE |
| Other than the credential listed above, can students earn any other credentials that are available to all students?: | NRF Foundation RISEUP Credential in Retail Industry Fundamentals as well as the ServSafe Food Handler Certificate |
| Students in the program have access to the following campus-wide services: |
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| Employment | |
|---|---|
| Percent of students in this program have paid work while attending the program: | 27% |
| Other career development activities are: |
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| Percent of students in this program that had paid work after exiting the program: | 50% |
| Additional information about career development and work experience: | Students visit various job sites and different work environments during the first year of the program. We call these Job Exploration Tours. Reflections are completed by the students to help them discover what type of work environment matches their skills and interests. During the 2nd Year, students do practicums (practice work) both on and off-campus to develop their job skills. They are supported by job coaches and program staff. |
| Does this program have a working partnership with VR to provide funding, supports and/or services to students in the program? | Yes |
| Housing | |
|---|---|
| Housing is provided to students?: | Yes |
| Housing options available: |
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| Residential supports for students who live in college/university housing: |
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| Extracurricular | |
|---|---|
| Percentage of social time spent in inclusive activities (open to all students on campus): | 75-99% |
| Students may participate in the following extra-curricular activities: |
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| Students participate in these campus-wide events: |
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